Six Arrested In Three Ocean County Narcotics Operations
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced today the culmination of three investigations into drug activity in the Ocean County area.
On May 12, 2014, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit conducted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of two Monmouth County residents on various drug charges. During the course of the investigation, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Northern Enforcement Unit identified a 2003 Nissan Xterra allegedly being utilized by Tyrone Velez, 27, and Jahmere Crooms, 25, both of Neptune, to store and distribute heroin in Ocean County. At approximately 3:45 pm on May 12, 2014, Prosecutor’s Detectives along with members of the Toms River Police Department located the 2003 Nissan Xterra in the area of Hampton Garden Apartments located on James Street in Toms River. The partnering law enforcement agencies executed a motor vehicle stop on the Nissan Xterra. At the time of the stop, the vehicle was occupied by Velez and Crooms. Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on the vehicle and located approximately 3400 individual dosage units of heroin along with approximately $1600 in cash. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Toms River Police Department. The 2003 Nissan was also seized pending forfeiture proceedings. The seized heroin has a street value in excess of $20,000.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Tyrone Velez, 27, of 628 Wayside Road, Neptune NJ was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson Jr. JSC set bail on Velez at $175,000 cash. He was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
Jahmere Crooms, 25, of 1506 Monroe Avenue, Neptune NJ was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Marijuana. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson Jr. JSC set bail on Crooms at $175,000 cash. He was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
Assisting in the investigation were members of the Ocean County Sheriffs Department K-9 Unit, the Toms River Police Department Operations Bureau and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Narcotics Task Force.
On May 13, 2014, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit conducted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of two Ocean County residents on various drug charges. During the course of the investigation, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Northern Enforcement Unit learned that the occupants of room 18 of the Sun and Sand Motel located on Route 37 in Toms River were allegedly distributing quantities of both heroin and cocaine from their room. Based on an investigation conducted by members of the Prosecutor’s Northern Enforcement Unit, Detectives also identified a 2011 Buick Regal as being utilized to store and distribute narcotics. At approximately 12:15 pm on May 13, 2014, Prosecutor’s Detectives located the 2011 Buick Regal as it left the area of the Sun and Sand Motel and traveled to the Shell Gas Station located on Route 37 and Fisher Boulevard in Toms River. Prosecutor’s Detectives along with members of the Toms River Police Department executed a motor vehicle stop on the Buick Regal. At the time of the stop, the vehicle was occupied by Damian Arena, 35, of Toms River and Jodi McConnon, 37, of Seaside Heights. Detectives also executed
court-authorized search warrants at the home of Damian Arena at 119 Poe Avenue, Toms River NJ, as well as, on the 2011 Buick Regal and room 18 at the Sun and Motel. The execution of the search warrants resulted in the seizure of quantities of heroin (approximately 170 individual dosage units) and cocaine under one half ounce. Police also located drug paraphernalia, specifically several glass crack (cocaine) smoking pipes. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Toms River Police Department. The 2011 Buick Regal was also seized pending forfeiture proceedings.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Damian Arena, 35, of 119 Poe Avenue, Toms River NJ was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson Jr. JSC set bail on Arena at $50,000 no ten percent. He was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.
Jodi McConnon, 37, of 49 Hancock Avenue, Seaside Heights NJ was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ms. McConnon was released on a summons.
Assisting in the investigation were members of the Ocean County Sheriffs Department K-9 Unit, the Toms River Police Department Operations Bureau and the Toms River Police K-9 Unit.
On May 14, 2014, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit conducted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of two Ocean County residents on various drug charges. During the course of the investigation, Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Southern Enforcement Unit identified a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier as allegedly being utilized by Kevin Kennedy, 30, of Waretown and Ryan Tatham, 25, of Forked River to transport heroin into Ocean County. At approximately 10:45 pm on May 14, 2014, Prosecutor’s Detectives located the 2000 Gold Chevrolet Cavalier in the area of Bay Parkway in Waretown. Prosecutor’s Detectives executed a motor vehicle stop on the gold Cavalier. At the time of the stop, the vehicle was found to be occupied by Kennedy and Tatham. As a result of the investigation, Detectives subsequently located approximately 113 individual dosage units of heroin. Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Ocean Township Police Department.
The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Kevin J. Kennedy, 30, of 28 Compass Road, Waretown NJ. Mr. Kennedy was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Kennedy was released on a summons.
Ryan J. Tatham, 25, of 1829 Lakeside Drive South, Forked River NJ. Mr. Tatham was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Tatham was released on a summons.
Assisting in the investigation were members of the Ocean Township Police Department.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
####